Rubber ball for physical training, warm-up exercise, and physiotherapy

ABSTRACT

A rubber ball designed for physical training, warm-up exercise, and physiotherapy, having an inflatable bladder and a laminated covering covered on the periphery of the bladder, the laminated covering being formed by: adhering a plurality of rubber strips to the bladder and then treating the rubber strips with a vulcanization process, the laminated covering being thicker and harder than the bladder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to balls and, more specifically, to a rubber ball, which is suitable for physical training, warm-up exercise, and physiotherapy.

[0002] Regular sports balls, for example, basketballs, volleyballs, tennis balls, and etc., are commonly designed for a particular game. These conventional sports balls are not suitable for people of all ages. Therefore, conventional ball games are not suitable for the aged or disabled persons. Further, when exercising the body or performing physiotherapy, physical exercising machines or mechanical apparatus may be used. However, it is dangerous to use physical exercising machines or mechanical apparatus. Further, most conventional physical exercising machines and mechanical apparatus are not suitable for the aged persons, the young children, and the disabled persons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a rubber ball, which is suitable for the aged persons and children as well as disabled persons for physiotherapy. It is another object of the present invention to provide a rubber ball, which is suitable for physical training and warm-up exercise. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the rubber ball is comprised of a bladder, and a laminated covering covered on the bladder. The bladder and the covering are made of rubber treated with different vulcanization processes. The covering is relatively harder and thicker than the bladder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 illustrates the outer appearance of a rubber ball according to the present invention.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the rubber ball according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rubber ball 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of bladder 11 and a covering 12 covered on the bladder 11. The bladder 11 and the covering 12 are made of rubber materials respectively vulcanized such that the bladder 11 is relatively softer than the covering 12 and can be inflated with air.

[0007] The rubber call 10 can be made in either of a series of sizes, for example, diameter 19.5 cm, 22.8 cm, and 27.5 cm. Every size can be provided at different weights. For example, the diameter of 19.5 cm can be provided at either of a series of weights including 0.8 kg, 0.9 kg, 1 kg, 1.5 kg, 2 kg, and 2.5 kg; the diameter of 22.8 cm can be provided at either 3 kg or 4 kg; the diameter of 27.5 cm can be provided at either of a series of weights including 5 kg, 6 kg, 7 kg, and 8 kg. Different sizes of molds may be used for making the rubber ball subject to the desired weight. For example, the mold of 22.8 cm can be used to make a rubber ball of 1 kg or 2 kg. The tolerance of weight of every size must be within ±50 g.

[0008] The weight of the rubber ball 10 is determined subject to the covering 12. Before vulcanization, rubber strips are adhered to the periphery of the bladder 11 to form a laminated structure, and then the covering 12 of laminated rubber strips is vulcanized. The bladder 11 is soft and inflatable. The laminated covering 12 is relatively harder than the bladder 11, having a better wear resisting power. The wall thickness of the covering 12 is multiple times over the wall thickness of the bladder 11. The covering 12 has a coarse outside wall for positive gripping of the hands. For example, the covering 12 can be embossed with grains, grooves, or lines to form a coarse surface. The covering 12 can be made having multiple colors and designs.

[0009] The rubber ball 10 has an air valve 13. The air valve 13 comprises an elastic valve body 131 integral with the bladder 11. The valve body 131 defines an air hole 132, which extends radially through the bladder 11 and the covering 12. The valve body 131 is made of same rubber material of the bladder 11. Before use, the nozzle pin of a hand pump or foot pump is inserted through the air hole 132 of the air valve 13, and then the hand pump or foot pump is operated to pump air into the bladder 11. When inflated, the nozzle pin is removed from the rubber ball 10. After removal of the nozzle pin, the inside air pressure of the bladder 11 forces the elastic valve body 131 to deform and to close the air hole 132. The inflated rubber ball 10 has good power of bouncing.

[0010] It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended for use as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed. 

What the invention claimed is:
 1. A rubber ball comprising an inflatable bladder, and a laminated covering covered on the periphery of said bladder, said laminated covering comprised of a plurality of rubber strips adhered to said bladder and then treated with a vulcanization process, said laminated covering being harder than said bladder, the wall thickness of said laminated covering being over multiple times of wall thickness of said bladder.
 2. The rubber ball of claim 1 wherein said laminated covering has a coarse outside wall. 